Laurier football weekly update

On Saturday, at Homecoming, on a perfect day, with the 10 year anniversary of the 2005 Vanier Cup winning team, you witnessed an undisciplined football team – and I take full responsibility for that. No team is good enough to overcome 20 penalties and, as a result, we lost the game to Windsor (22-18).

Offense – We were able to establish the run early on, but every time we would get into scoring position or across mid-field we would get a very untimely penalty. On the ground, we were consistent with both Dillon Campbell and Eric Guiltinan running hard. Dillon had 118 yards rushing and Eric added another 95.

Our struggles were through the air, where we couldn’t consistently move the ball down the field. We will get back to the drawing board and move the ball more consistently this week and get into the endzone.

Defense – We held Windsor’s offense to just 230 yards, which is a really good day. We still had too many penalties, which extended drives and allowed Windsor to get into scoring position. We were able to chase around Windsor’s athletic QB and forced him to complete just 35% of his passes.

Special Teams – A block punt early in the game led to three Windsor points and we had a long punt return TD by Kurleigh Gittens Jr. called back because of yet another penalty. On a positive note, kicker Nathan Mesher continues to improve. He had his best day punting, averaging 41 yards per punt, including one that travelled 62 yards. He was also 4/4 on field goals making from 35, 24, 47 and 42 yards. Nathan is now an incredible 9 for 10 on field goals on the year. For his great work Nathan has been awarded the OUA’s Special Team’s Player of the Week.

We have already picked ourselves back up off the ground and are attacking this new week with more energy, focus and attention to detail. We will have a better effort Saturday at Waterloo’s Homecoming.

Here’s what is happening:

Thank you!
Despite an ugly football game, the rest of the weekend ran smoothly because of our great Laurier Athletics staff & alumni relations team. The Hall of Fame dinner was incredible and so many alumni came back to visit Laurier and watch our Homecoming game.

A special thanks to over 50 members of the 2005 Vanier Cup winning Team that came back this weekend. It has been 10 years since that magical game but, 10 years later, you can see just how close-knit this group is and why they jelled together on the field.

Post-Game Reception
Even though it’s a road game, with it just being across the street we will have a post-game reception again this week. Please join our coaches, players, parents, alumni and other Golden Hawk fans shortly after the game in the Turret for some refreshments and appetizers.

Players of the Week Lunch
Please join us at the Hawks Nest this Thursday for lunch at 12pm. For just $15 enjoy: great food, highlight video, players of the week honoured, prizes, coaches update and more.

Adopt-A-Hawk – $27,316 and counting
Thank you to all that have helped us with this AAH campaign. Your support is greatly appreciated. For those of you still interested in supporting us, we still have some players that haven’t been adopted and we can give you their name and position.